SEMA 2009: Meet the world's most desirable Lexus RX450h by Branew

Let me be blunt: I don't like luxury crossovers. At all. It's a niche with no appeal to me whatsoever. Not a car, not a truck – just a fat sedan jacked up on stilts to woo trophy wives with fancy badges and reassure soccer mammas that their children are "safe." And the Lexus RX gets the sharp point of my spear of anger because it's basically responsible for the high-end CUV craze. Not a fan of hybrids, either. That said, I'm absolutely smitten with Branew's Lexus RX450h.

I think it's the stance, has to be. But there is just something very desirable – from an aesthetic standpoint. The big 24-inch wheels help tremendously, perching Branew's at just the right height. And the lower fascia helps the quite handsome – if not distinctive – OEM grill pop. And I know it's going to be a controversial opinion, but the koi fish on the hood totally work. In fact, I know a certain Subaru WRX that could use a koi or two. Anyhow, while I'd rather gargle nails than rock a luxo-CUV, if forced at gunpoint, Branew's RX450h would be my first (and only) choice.

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Anonymous

7 Months Ago

Since when did the RX450h become a CUV? What Lexus vehicle is a midsize SUV now? And since when did the RX create CUV craze? The RX exists for almost a decade so that doesn't add up. The Venza is a CUV, the RAV4 is mini-SUV, Highlander is midsize SUV ....

"â just a fat sedan jacked up on stilts to woo trophy wives with fancy badges and reassure soccer mammas that their children are "safe."

Yeah let's stereotype vehicle owners to its fullest. And no I don't have or ever owned a Lexus but this strikes me as too opiniated and hateful.

Anonymous

7 Months Ago

Just another crazed variation on a tired corporate styling theme that was never attractive to begin with. But, to each his own. If I had to take one of these turkeys at gun point based on styling the only one that would not be embarrassing to be seen in would be the Ford Flex.

Anonymous

7 Months Ago

While I'm not a fan of the CUV craze personally, I can see the point of some. Few buy wagons and these are a middle ground (from a practicality point of view) between sedans and SUVs (or minivans). I'm fine with the 450h, particularly as a 'greener' option among the luxury CUVs. But this? To me, it's tacky. The wheels? The added body panels? Not a fan on this car. But, to each their own.

Anonymous

7 Months Ago

Not a fan of CUVs, but I don't get the craze of fitting the largest wheel possible in a wheel well. It usually makes the brakes look undersized and makes the car have the look of a wagon. Wagon as in the kind pulled by horses with big honkin wagon wheels.

At this rate, wheel sizes will get back up to Model T size, if they're not there already.